The everlasting influence of Jane Austen
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:
To celebrate Jane Austen’s birthday we look at how she continues to influence popular culture and explore the library’s collection of Jane Austen related material.
Getting your hands dirty with State Library Victoria
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories, Research tips:
The sun is shining, time to get out in the garden! There are plenty of resources at State Library Victoria to help develop your green thumb.
The punk and alternative music scenes of St Kilda (and Melbourne) in the 1970s and 1980s
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories, Victorian history:
The Seaview Hotel in St Kilda became a spiritual home of Melbourne’s punk and alternative music scene in the 1970s and 1980s, initially due to an administrative error.
‘Behind the Paint’, Shannyn Higgins’ vibrant portraits of street artists
In November 2020, the Library acquired a portrait series title Behind the Paint featuring some of Melbourne’s most iconic artists, alongside their work, shot by photographer Shannyn Higgins.
The Wonthaggi Coal Mine
Family matters, Research tips & tricks:
Opening in 1910, the mine was intended to deliver a reliable coal supply for the Victorian Railways. With a reputation as one of the most dangerous mines in the country, over 80 men lost their lives during its operation.
“Road of a thousand charms”
Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:
A crowd of hundreds converged on Lorne on 26 November 1932 to celebrate the opening of the just completed Great Ocean Road.
World Philosophy Day
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:
It’s World Philosophy Day. Dive into our extensive philosophy collections to be challenged and inspired by thinkers of the past and present.
Catalogue upgrade: Export to excel and sticky filters
Ask a librarian, Research tips, Tips and tricks:
Export your search results or saved items to Excel and more easily limit your results with improved ‘sticky’ filters that persist between searches, two new features recently added to the Library… Read More ›
Ania Walwicz: rebel with a cause
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories:
The Victorian literary community has lost one of its own, with the death of much-loved poet, performance artist and creative writing teacher, Ania Walwicz
COVID-19 rapid response collecting
As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, State Library Victoria needed a rapid collecting response to document Victoria’s experience. Curators reflect on the adaptation to contact-free acquisitions, and improving their digital preservation workflows to meet this need.
Such was life
Feasts of Christmas past
What are your favourite festive food memories? Have you ever enjoyed Christmas Day lunch on the beach, up a mountain or aboard a ship? Do you remember pineapple glazed ham? Would you like the 100-year-old recipe for walnut stuffing? The State Library’s historic menus, cookbooks, photos and magazines trace Christmas foods from early colonial tables to the festive flavours celebrated by our diverse migrant communities. Dive in and rediscover your favourite Christmas dishes — or find inspiration for this year’s feast.
Arts
Portraits of Melbourne artists in their studios
John Hinds, an artist, photographer and active ROAR member from 1986 to 1992 spent time capturing artists he personally knew and the spaces that they used to create their works. His photographs captured a unique and often unseen time and place, creating an invaluable insight into the art scene in Melbourne.
